System for irrigation



llg- 5, 1940 P. DE LACY-MULHALL 2.209,961

SYSTEM FKOR IRRIGATION y Original Filed Nov. 5, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet l Aug@ m4@ P. DE LACY-MULHALL 2,209,961

SYSTEM FOR RRIGATION original Filled Nov. 3, 1934 4 sheets-sheet 2 ATTORNEY ug- 6, 1940- P. DE LAcYfMULHALL. 2,209,96

SYSTEM FOR IRRIGATION Original Filed Nov. 5, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ENVENTOR BY ATTNEY Aug. 6j, 1940. P. DE LACY-MULHALL,

SYSTEM FOR IRRIGATION original Filed Nov'. s, 1934 4` Sheets-Sheet 4 L, SI

iN V E NTO R l. BY

" TTQQNEY Patented Aug. 6, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SYSTEM FOR. IRRIGATION order and decree Application November 3, 1934, Serial No. 751,402

Renewed April 19, 1938 Y 14 Claims.

to be again operated in sequence and in the same order.

It is one of the objects of this invention to pro- Vide a system of this character that is simple and reliable in operation.

Such systems are useful for example, in watering golf courses. In such cases, the sprinkler heads are preferably made rotary, so as to spread the water over a circle deiined by the trajectory of the stream. It is another object of this invention to make it possible to increase the trajectory of the stream, Withoutthe necessity of any added elements.

It is still another object of the invention to make it possible to reciprocate the sprinkler head back and forth over an arc, by the aid of a simple and inexpensive mechanism.

It is still another object of this invention to utilize the pressure of the water for opening and closing the sprinkler heads in succession.

It is still another object of the invention to connect the sprinkler heads in sequence in such manner that they are automatically operated in sequence, the succeeding head being opened as soon as the preceding head has completed its period of delivery.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more easily apparent from a consideration of several embodiments of the invention. For this purpose there are shown several forms in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. These forms shall now be described in detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view of a sprinkler head and its valve control mechanism, incorporating the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevation of the sprinkler apparatus shown in Fig. 1, showing the valve part thereof, and with some of the parts in section;

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional View, taken along the plane 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional View, taken along the plane 4 4 of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional View, taken along the plane 5 5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a sectional View, taken along the plane 6 8 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional View, taken along the plane 'E l of Fig. l;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view, taken along the plane 8 3 of Fig. l;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional View, taken along the plane 9 9 of Fig. 1;

Fig. lil isa sectional View, taken along the plane Ill ll of'Fig. 1;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view,.taken along the plane H ll of Fig. i, and with some of the parts broken away;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged detail developed sectional View of the nozzle wheel, shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional View similar to Fig. 1, of a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 14 is a sectional View, taken along the plane M M of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a detail sectional View, taken along the plane |5 |5 of Fig. 14 and shown as developed in a plane;

Fig. 16 is a detailed section of another modication of the invention; and

Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic view showing the layout of a system utilizing a plurality of sprinkler heads supplied with water from a common source.

In Figs. 1 to l2 inclusive, one form of the sprinkler head is' shown as utilized in the distril bution system. Thus a conduit vI is arranged, as illustrated in Fig. 17, to be connected to a source .2 of liquid under pressure. This liquid is water when the system is used for irrigation purposes. The sprinkler head is so arranged that the passage of water from conduit i is controlled by a valve closure` 3. This Valve closure cooperates with a 'rounded valve seat 4 arranged in the bottom `of a casing 5. The water after it passes through the cylindrical opening 6 controlled by the valve closure 3, finally emerges into the sprinkler head bo'dy 8. This body 8 is shown as cylindrical and hollow. The top 'I of the sprinkler head is provided With one or more nozzles Il and l2. These nozzles have pas'sageways 9 and l0, having axes' directed above the horizontal, so as to provide a properl trajectory for the stream ejected from these'members il and l2. 'Ihey can conveniently be fastened in place from the inside of the top portion 1, since this top portion 1 is releasably connected to the hollow body 8, as by the aid of the threaded portion I3.

The hollow body 8 is formed with an annular bottom flange I4, as well as a downwardly directed central sleeve I5 through which the water enters into the body 8. The central sleeve I5 is preferably mounted for rotation in the top cover I6 of the casing 5. For this purpose the top cover I6 can be provided with a vertical extension I1, and an apertured top flange I8 through which the sleeve I5 extends.

In order to form a protecting apron around the sprinkler head, a tubular extension I9 is provided, fastened as by threads at its lower end to the exterior of the cover I6. This apron `I9 can be provided with an appropriate upper flange 29 arranged to be iiush with the top 1 of the sprinkler when the sprinkler is in the retracted position shown in Fig. 1.

The sprinkler head can, if desired, be urged upwardly by the pressure of the water passing through the aperture 6 into the mechanism. In this way it is possible, while the sprinkler is inactive, to have it lowered below the turf if the sprinkler is used on a golf course or similar grounds; and to rise or pop up in order to clear the grass when it is in use. To permit this rise, the sleeve I5 is further guided within a sleeve or hub 2 I, as by the aid of a lower flange 22 extending around the bottom edge of the sleeve l`5. A sealing washer 23 can be placed inside the annular space 24 between members I5 and 2|. This washer 23 is restrained against removal by the top flange I8 of the extension I1. The washer 23 can be ,assembled inside of sleeve member 2| prior to the joining of sleeve I5 in the lottom of the sprinkler head 8. The water acts against the flange 22 to raise it so that the entire sprinkler head is elevated and within the limits prescribed by the flange I8.

Furthermore, a mechanism is provided for rotating the entire sprinkler head when water enters through the aperture 6. For this purpose the water serves to rotate a bucket wheel 25. This bucket wheel is shown most clearly in Fig. 10. It is joined to a hub 26 rotatably mounted upon a vertical stub shaft 21 extending through the hub 26. The bucket wheel is geared to the sprinkler head 8 for driving it in a manner to be hereinafter described. Water is fed in the proper direction to actuate bucket wheel 25 by the provision of a nozzle structure or wheel 28, shown in detail in Figs. 1l and l2. This nozzle structure is held tightly against rotation within the casing 5, and is urged against a shoulder 29 provided by a fitting 30. This fitting 30 is formed integrally with the valve seat member 4, and is threaded into conduit 3 I. This conduit 31 in turn is joined in fluid tight relationship with the conduit I by the aid of an appropriate coupling structure 32.

The nozzle member 28 is confined against shoulder 29 by spacer ring 33 placed above it. This ring can be a split resilient band frictionally engaging the interior of casing 5. Furthermore, this nozzle structure includes a downwardly extending socket member 34 in which the extension 35 of bucket wheel 25 is rotatable. The shaft 21 is also supported within the downwardly extending portion 34.

The nozzle member 28 is shown in this instance as having an upper and lower portion 36 and 31 respectively, defining in this instance six nozzle openings 38 having an axis oblique to the top surface of the nozzle structure 28. The nozzle structure 28 is made in two parts, so that it may be formed of appropriate castings, and to make it possible to remove the cores required to form the nozzle apertures 38. Furthermore, the planes of division 39 between the upper and lower plates 36 and 31 around the nozzle apertures 38, are substantially transverse to the axes of the apertures so that accurate abutting surfaces can be formed between the two plates 36 and 31 around these apertures.

It is apparent that water passing through aperture 6 `emerges above the nozzle structure 28 adjacent the periphery of this nozzle structure and acts to rotate the wheel 25 by pressure against the bucketsfill. This motion is reduced so as to impart a comparatively slow rate of rotation of sprinkler head 8, as by the use of planetary gearing.

For example, the bucket wheel 25 can be provided with an upper flange 4I. This flange can carry a planetary pinion 42 on a stub shaft 43. This planetary pinion 42, at its lower portion, acts on a stationary internally toothed wheel 44 whereby a positive rotation of pinion 42 is obtained. This wheel 44 is held firmly against rotation between spacer rings 33 and 45 in contact with the interior cylindrical surface of casing 5. The upper portion of pinion 42 meshes with a rotatable internal gear wheel 46. This gear wheel has a different number of teeth than the stationary wheel 44. For example, if gear wheel 44 has thirty-one teeth and gear wheel 46 has thirty-two teeth, it is obvious that bucket wheel 25 must rotate thirty-two times in order to drive wheel 46 through one revolution.

The wheel 46 is provided with a hub 41 as well as a sleeve 48 which extends downwardly to rest upon an annular shoulder 49, formed as a boss on the top flange 4I of bucket wheel 25. I-Iub 41 is freelyrotatable on post 21.

In order further to reduce the speed of the said system, a planetary gearing is provided between wheel 46 and sleeve I5. Thus wheel 46 can support a planetary pinion 50 freely rotatable on a stationary stub shaft in a manner entirely similar to the support of the planetary pinion 42. The lower portion of this planetary pinion meshes with a stationary internal gear 5I shown in this instance as urged against the spacer ring 45. The upper portion of the planetary pinion 56 meshes with a wheel 52. In this case also, the ratio of reduction may be of the order of one to thirty-two. The wheel 52 is arranged to be placed in driving relation with respect to the sleeve I5, as by the aid of a yoke or spokes 53 joined to the hub 54. In this hub the shaft 21 can be threaded, so that this shaft is rotated by wheel 52. All of the hubs 54, 41 and 26 are arranged one above the other. The sleeve 2l is shown as joined to the top flange 55 of wheel 52, and is rotatable within the extension I1. The sleeve I5 is provided with slotted arms 56 through which the yoke 53 passes, thereby providing a driving connection to sleeve I5 for either thefretracted position shown, or the upwardly projected position of the head 8.

It should also be noted that the sleeves 2l, 48 and boss 49 form a continuous central opening for the egress of water from the bucket wheel 25 into and through the interior o-f sleeve I5. Also, the top flanges, such as 4I and 55, for the gears, further retard escape of water outside of the central opening formed by members 49, 48 75 and'2|. The edge of bucket wheel 35, as indicated in Fig. 1, runs quite closely to the sleeve 33. In this way, only very narrow passages are provided for entry of water into the space occupied by the reduction gears. And of course, the members 2|, 48 `and 49 form a complete closure against entry of water from the sleeve |5. Accordingly, the opportunity for any clogging of the gears by foreign particles such as sand, is slight; and there is no need to interpose any lter'ing screen in the Water passages. Such screen would introduce an undesirable resistance to the water ow.

It is apparent from the foregoing description that the pressure and the velocity of water serve to 'rotate the sprinkler head 8, and to project it upwardly above the apron i9. There is furthermore another eifect which is of considerable importance. The velocity of flow through the passage 6 and the sleeve I5 is much greater than the velocity of flow within the hollow head 8, because the cross section area of this head is much greater than that of the passage 6; and the combined areas of nozzles 9 and i9 are much less than the area of the passage 6. 'Ihe result is that there is an increase in pressure within the head 8. This is apparent from a consideration of Bernoulls theorem, regarding the conservation of energy in a moving stream of liquid. Accordingly, the trajectory of the jets through passageways 9 and I0 is materially increased, due to this increased pressure; and this effect is made a maximum upon proper choice of ratios of the combined nozzle openings, the area of head 8, and the areaof passage 5. Also, the sleeve l5 has its lower entry opening tapered so as to form a restricted exit for the water into bowl 8. This produces a Venturi effect and assists in the improvement in the trajectory.

The valve closure 3 is shown as formed of a yielding member, such as rubber, held over a head 51 as by the aid of a cup 58 threaded over the head 51. In order further to maintain the valve closure 3 in place, a plate 59 can be placed in the center of the closure member 3 and held in place with respect to the head 51 as by the Aaid of a fiat headed screw 59.

To open and close the valve, utilization is made of uid pressure. For this purpose the head 51 forms one part of a fluid piston operating in a cylinder 6|. Thus the bottom of the head 51 forms a shoulder 52 serving to cooperate with an opposite shoulder G3 to confine an expansible hollow yielding piston ring 64. v Theshoulder 63 is shown as formedintegral with aY piston structure including the cylindrical extension 65 threaded within the head 51. The piston ring 54 can be made of rubber or other yielding material and can be placed in communication with the interior of cylindrical extension 65' as by the aid of the radial apertures 56 in said member 65. Fluid pressure is permitted toenter the hollow member 65 as by the aid of a passageway S1 leading to vthe interior of conduit 3| and inwardly to the space defined by the structure 55 and head 51. This fluid pressure serves to expand the ring 64 against the Vwalls of cylinder 6|, rendering the piston structure fluid tight. A larger piston structure is shown as integrally connected with the structure 65-51. This larger piston structure is formed by the piston ring 58, operating just as ring 64, and confined between a-shoulderr 59 and a flange 1U. The shoulder 6911s shown as formedexternally of the sleeve 1| depending from the piston structure 65-51; and the flange 19 is shown as fastened as by. the threaded extension 12, inside of the depending sleeve 1|. This larger piston structure is adapted to cooperate inside of a cylinder 14, having a wall 13.: It is apparent that if liquid under pressure be admitted underneath the piston structure from conduit 3|, the Valve closure 3 will be urged upwardly by iiuid pressure against its seat d and the valve closes. This is due to the fact that there is a greater area subjected to the liquid pressure acting upwardly on the associated piston structures, than the area around the closure member 3, subjected to liquid pressure acting downwardly and tending to open the valve.

It is thus apparent that in order to close the valve, it is merely necessary to exert fluid pressure in chamber 14; and in order to open the valve it is necessary to relieve the pressure therein. When the pressure is so relieved, the fluid pressure from conduit 3| is eiective on an annular surface around closure 3 to urge the closure downwardly.

In order to provide the necessary iiuid pressure for holding thev valve structure closed, an upright passageway 15 extends downwardly from conduit 3l and can pass into a recess 18 in cylinder head 19 by way of an aperture 11. This recess is pro-- 'vided with a tapered aperture 19, in which is a rotatable control taper Valve plug 8). This valve plug is urged in fluid tight relationship with the aperture 19, as by a spring disc 8| coniined by a cap 82 against the threaded end 83 of a boss 84. This boss 8d extends radially from the cylinder head 16. In the position shown in Figs. l and the passage of liquid through passageway 15 is interrupted, since the port 85 is out of-alinement with the horizontal passageway 85 formed in the boss that accommodates plug 80. This horizontal passageway 86 commu nicates at each end with vertical passageways 88, extending upwardly into the cylinder chamber 14. The passageway 85 is connected as by a horizontal axial recess 81 with the passage 18. Thus when-plug 8 is rotated to aline port 85 with the transverse passageway 86, liquid under pressure can pass through apertures 85, 86, 81 and 83 into the chamber 11i.

For the position of the plug 80 shown in Figs. 1, 3, 4, and 5, the interior of chamber 14 is connected to a conduit 89. Conduit 89 is shown as connected to a threaded connection nipple 90 thread-ed into a boss 9| extending from the cover 16. The interior of this boss 9i in turn is connected with the annular groove 92, disposed around the tapered plug 89. This annular-groove 92 is thus in continuous connection with the conduit 89. A through port 93 is provided for forming a connection between this annular groove 92 andan axial-apertureii. This axial aperture is in turn in communication with a transverse port 95 formed in plug Si?. This transverse port 95 (Fig. 5) is shown as alined with the horizontal passageway 95 in cover 15. This passageway is in communication with vthe upright passageway 88. Thus the cylinder space 19 is in communication with the conduit 89 by way of passageway 88, passageway 95, port 95, axial passageway 94, port 93, and annular recess 92.

It is furthermore apparent that when tapered plug 89 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 5, the port 95 can be placed out of alinement with passageway 96, thereby interrupting this communication; and at the same time port 95 caribe.alinedwithpassageway 86 to 75 provide communication from the passageway 15 into the cylinder space 14.

The conduit 89 is furthermore: in continual communication with a control cylinder 91, as by the aid of the aperture 98 in cover 16, and the aperture 99 in the bottom of the cylinder 91. Aperture 98 is in continuous communication with the annular space 92 of the tapered plug 80.

In order to open the valve closure 3, the plug 80 must be rotated to the position shown in Fig. 1. In this position the liquid pressure from conduit 3| is no longer effective to urge the pistons connected to the closure 3 upwardly. However, fluid pressure may yet be active through conduit 89, recess 92, port 93, aperture 94, port 95, and passageway 88, to hold the valve closed. As soon as fluid pressure in conduit 89 is released, however, the fluid pressure in conduit 3| is effective to urge the closure 3 downwardly and the valve opens. The fluid pressure conditions existing in conduit 89 can be made dependent upon the position of a preceding sprinkler head valve in the system. This pressure can thus be maintained until the preceding valve closes; and immediately thereafter the pressure is released and the valve closure 3 can move downwardly. The manner in which this pressure is controlled in conduit 89 will be described hereinafter.

The control cylinder 91 is adapted to control the position of taper plug 80 so that these fluid pressures can be effective to cause the valve to open or close. Operating in cylinder 91 is the control piston, including the piston head |00 having a rod |0|. This rod is guided for vertical movement in the cylinder head |02. The piston head |00 is threaded into a flanged sleeve |03 having a horizontal flange |04. Between head |00 and flange |04 an expansible piston ring |05 can be confined, subjected at its interior to the pressure existing in chamber 91. This is accomplished by the aid of a radial aperture |06.

Joined to the rod |0| as by the aid of a pin |01 is a square rod |08. This square rod is guided in a square aperture |09 of a bracket H0. This bracket ||0 is shown as fastened to the ext-erior of the valve body as by bolts (Fig. 2). By the aid of a system of links and levers, square rod |08 is joined to the plug 80 for rotating it. Thus carried by the rod |08 is a collar I2, fastened to the rod |08, as by a through pin H3. A horizontal extension ||4 is supported on collar` ||2 and is pivotally joined to a link ||5. This'lnk in turn is pivoted to arm I i6 joined to plug 80. Rotation of plug 80 by movement of link I5 is permitted by the provision of a slot ||1 in the boss 84.

It is apparent that when the rod |08 moves upwardly to the position shown in Fig. '2, the plug 80 is rotated in a clockwise direction. A corresponding downward movement of rod |08 causes a counterclockwise rotation of the plug 80, to place cylinder 14 into communication with conduit 3|, and to interrupt communication from cylinder space 14 to conduit 89.

The upward movement of the piston structure |00-|03 is obtained by liquid pressure entering cylinder 91 from conduit 89; or alternatively an upward mechanical force can be utilized to pull rod |08. For this purpose rod |08 may be provided with an eye end H8. A tension spring ||9 however, tends to pull the rod |08 downwardly. For this purpose the spring ||9 is disposed around the rod |08 and is enclosed in a hollow pipe-like member |20. This member |20 forms virtually an extension of the guide member ||0. Lower end |2| of spring ||9 is anchored into the member |20. The upper end is anchored as shown at |22 to the rod |08.

When the rod |08 is pulled upwardly to the position shown, it is latched in that position until it is subsequently unlatched. For this purpose, a weighted catch |23 is provided, adapted to engage underneath the shoulder |24 provided on a taper-ed collar |25 on rod |08. This latch |23 is pivoted adjacent its upper end on a pin |26. This pin |26 is supported on opposite walls |21 and |28 of a U-shaped housing |29 fastened to the exterior of apron I9.

While the rod |98 is held in the elevated position shown, fluid pressure is prevented from entering cylinder 14 through passage 15. However, after a certain number of revolutions of the sprinkler head 8, the latch |23 is released and spring |19 serves to return the piston structure |00-|03 to its lowermost position, and uid pressure is then available to close the valve.

This release mechanism is illustrated most clearly in Figs. 1, 6 and 7. Thus a ratchet wheel |30 is provided, freely rotatable on a pin |3|, passed transversely across the U-shaped extension |29. This ratchet wheel |30 carries one or more pins such as |32, which upon a sufficient rotation of wheel |30, acts to lift the arm |33 of the latch |23, thereby freeing rod |08. Advancement of ratchet wheel |30 is provided by an advancing pawl |34. This advancing pawl is pivoted by the aid of a screw |35 on a slidab-le bar |36. Bar |36 is guided for sliding movement by the aid of a slot |31 in which are disposed a pair of stationary guide screws |38. The inner -end of the sliding bar |38 is held against the outer surface of the rotating sprinkler head body 8 as by a flat leaf spring |39. The body 8, as shown most clearly in Fig. 6, is provided with an exterior depression |40. As the depression passes the inner end of sliding bar |36, the spring |39 is permitted to pull the sliding bar |36 to the left; and

l as the depression |40 passes the bar |36, this bar |36 is urged to the right, causing advancement of the ratchet wheel |30. It is apparent that after a certain number of reciprocations of the bar |36 I.

one of the pins |32 will serve to free the rod |08.

To prevent reverse rotation of ratchet wheel |30, a holding pawl |4| can be provided on pin |26.

By referring to Figs. 1 and 17, the manner in which the sprinkler heads are operated in sequence can now be described. In Fig. 17 it is seen that conduit can be joined as by an upright pipe |42 to a common header |43. Disposed along the header |43, which can run underground, is a number of upright pipes |44, |45, etc. for conducting liquid under pressure to a number of sprinkler head stations 8, |46, |41, etc. The mechanism operating each of the sprinkler heads is in-dicated in a diagrammatic fashion. The sprinkler head 8 is shown as inactive,and the sprinkler head at station |46is indicated as open, succeeding stations being closed.

Let us assume that sprinkler head 8 is in the closed position and that it is desired to start its operation. In the closed position, liquid pressure is effective in cylinder chamber 14 to urge the piston structure (labeled as |48 in Fig. 17) upwardly. For the present, it may be assumed that conduit 89 is vented to atmosphere. The sprinkler head 8 can thus be made active by pulling upwardly on rod |08, causing catch |23 to hold this rod in its upper position, as indicated in Fig. 1. The upward movement of the rod |08 causes the plugv 80 to be rotated,.and the pasf. ro

saget ofi'iiuidA` through passageway 15 is interrupted. The fluid pressure in chamber 14 is relieved through port 95 and conduit 89. The valve :closure 3 therefore opens, and sprinkler head 8 :becomes active. It rises and rotates asdescribed 'downwardly around the cap 58, and into a port |49 disposed in the side of the cylinder chamber. This liquid under pressure `passes through a stepper conduit |50. This liquid connection is Vnot established, however, until the annular space |5| (Fig. 1) underneath the cap 58 is opposite the port |49.

The uid pressure in the stepper conduit |50 is eiective at station |46 to raise a piston structure |52 corresponding to piston structure |00- |03 of Fig. 1. At this station the plug 80 is controlled in the same way as plug 80, the corresponding reference numerals being primed to indicate the corresponding parts at station |46. 'lhe liquid pressure from stepper conduit |50 'passes around the plug 80 in the annular passageway 92' and into the cylinder space 91', vcausing the piston |52 to raise and to be held in the position indicated in Fig. 17. At the same time, port 85 is placed out of communication with cylinder space 14. However, at this stage valve closure 3 is not lowered, because iuid pressure through stepper conduit |50 is still eiective through port 95 to maintain a closing pressure in cylinder 14. The valve closure 3 opens, however, as soon assprinkler head 8 returns to inactive position. This occurs as stated before, after a certain number of revolutions of the sprinkler head. The piston structure |00-I03 then returns to the position shown in Fig. 17, and there is an interruption in the supply of liquid under pressure to the stepper conduit |50. Instead the stepper conduit |50 is open to atmosphere through port |49, annular passageway |53, port |54, cylinder chamber 91, and a port |55 through cap |02. Accordingly, the closure 3 is depressed by liquid pressure in conduit I and station |46 becomes active. This condition is illustrated in Fig. 17.

As soon as station |46 becomes active, a stepper conduit |50 is supplied with liquid under pressure to prepare for` the opening operation of valve closure 3 at station |41. 'Ihe manner in which this valve closure is operated is the same as mentioned. heretofore in connection with valve closures 3 and 3. v

The sprinkler head at station |46, after being active for a deiinite period, releases the rod |08', causing a rotation of taper'plug 80 and liquid pressure is then effective to close closure 3 through passageway The station |46 then returns to the position illustrated at the sprinkler head 8. As soon as this occurs, liquid pressure is relieved in stepper conduit |50', and station |41 becomes operative.

As many stations in succession as desired can be operated in the manner described. It is possible to restart the cycle before one cycle is fully completed. This can easily be effected by providing a branch line to any of the stepper conduits, leading back to the first sprinkler head 8. In the form shown in Fig. 17, the station |41 has its `stepper conduit |50 provided with a bypass stepper |56 leading back to conduit 89 of the iirst sprinkler head 1. Station |41 may be anyl one of the stations` head 8. Y

When such a station succeeding station |41 is operatedsprinkler head 8 is simultaneously opersucceeding sprinkler ated, as heretofore described, Vand a new cycle or wave of operations begins. This new cycle,

when it reaches the station |41 causes a third cycle to be started. 'I'his series can become effective for as long as desired; but a limit may be placed thereon as by the aid of a needle valve` mechanism |51 in conduit |56, discharging into a tiltingv measuring bucket |58.V This bucket, when suiciently loaded, tilts and operates a valve |59 in conduit |56, to interrupt communication from stepper conduit |50" to the irstr station. This interruption is effective only after the bucket |58 is loaded suiciently; and by a proper degreeV of opening of needle valve |51 this can be effective only after a certain number of cycles ofy operations of the sprinkler head 1.

Although manual means for starting the rst valve is indicated, it is apparent that the rod |08 can be arranged to be operated automatically in response to definite conditions, such as humidity and temperature.

In the form shown in Fig. 1, the popping up of the sprinkler head 8 is provided for with respect to the stationary casing 5. Inv the form shown in Fig. 1.6, the-entire casing 5 can be raised by iiuid pressure in conduit instead of merely the head 1. This is accomplished by providing casing 5 with a downwardly extending telescoping sleeve |51 slotted as indicated at |58 for the accommodation of a guide pin |59. This guide pin |59 extends through the upwardly directed branch |60 of conduit on which head 5 is accommodated. It is apparent that liquid pressure in conduit will act onthe bottom lower surface of the -sleeve |51' to raise it, since liquid pressure is available underneath the casing 5.

It is not essential thatl the sprinkler head 8 be rotated continuously in one direction. In the form shown in Figs. 13, 14 and 15, the sprinkler head 8 is shown so arranged that it reverses its direction of rotation after each half or fraction of a revolution. v

In this form of the invention, the casing 6| is substituted for casing 5. The sprinkler body |62 corresponds to sprinkler body 8. It is, however, restrained against upward movement, it being the intention, in this form, to raise the whole casing |8| as illustrated in Fig. 16.

The top of the casing |6| is formed by a supplemental threaded extension |63. This extension has a downwardly directed tubular guide |64 and'. an upper flange |65 in which the sleeve |66 joined to the body |62, can be rotated. In addition to the topinternal gear 52, a bevel gear |61 is shown,guided for-rotary movement as by its huby |68 inside of the guide |64. This bevel gear is provided with spokes |69 joined to hub |10, which is fastened to the shaft 21. Spokes |69 are mechanicallycoupled to the sleeve |66, so that rotation of bevel gear |61' in either direction will impart rotation to the sprinkler body |62.

This rotation is effected alternately in opposite directions. One of these directions is vsecured by a series of gearing. Thus the internal gear I1! (corresponding togear 52 of Fig. 1) is provided at its upper surface with a mutilated bevel gear |12.I This bevel gearing extends for onehalf revolution,v as indicated Inost clearly in Fig. 14. As the bevel gear |12 rotatesin a counterclockwise direction, as indicated by arrow |13 of Fig. 14;.fit carries`=gear|61 around with it.

This is accomplished by the: aid of a latch |14 pivoted on a pin |15 on gear wheel |12. This latch is urged by gravity to the position indicated in Fig. 15, so that an abutting surface |15 can cooperate with an abutment |16 depending downwardly from the hub |11 of the bevel gear |61.

.The abutment |16 is shown in Fig. 13 as having been advanced to a point corresponding to the axis of a small bevel pinion |11', and in Fig. 15, the abutment |16 has not yet reached that position.

During that portion of the revolution of mutilated gear |12 during which it is out of mesh with bevel pinion |11', the drive between gear |12 and abutment |16 is effective. However, as soon as mutilated gear |12 is about to enter into engagement with the bevel pinion |11', the latch |14 is depressed out of contact with abutment |16, as by the aid of the stationary collar |18. This stationary collar |18 acts upon a cam surface |19 at the forward end of latch |14, and depresses it at its forward end. In this way, the latch |14 passes underneath the abutment |16. At the same time, bevel pinion |11 is rotated by the mutilated gear |12. Thispinion, being in continual mesh with bevel 1 gear |61 serves to drive it in a clockwise direction for a half revolution, correspondingto the angular extent of the mutilated gear |12. At the end of the half revolution, the latch |14' again engages abutment |16, which has been brought back a half revolution in a clockwise direction, by the rotation of gear |61, to a line diametrically opposite to the axis of bevel pinion |11'; that is, at the right hand side of the shaft 21 as viewed in Fig. 14. For the next half revolution, therefore, the movement is again counterclockwise, as illustrated in Fig 14, until latch |14 is again disengaged by the stationary member |18. The clockwise rotation for a half revolution is then repeated.

The alternate half revolutions continue as long as the sprinkler is active. As before, the sprinkler head |62 can be provided with a depression similar to depression |40 in Fig. 6 to actuate the releasing mechanism once during each half revolution.

I claim:

1. In a sprinkler structure, a rotatable head, and means for imparting a torque to the head, including a nozzle plate, said plate being made in two parts each having a series of through apertures, matching in pairs to define nozzle openings, directed obliquely to the face of the plate, the surfaces of contact of the parts at the apertures being substantially perpendicular to the axes of the nozzles.

2. In an oscillating sprinkler head structure, a rotating mutilated gear, a gear wheel joined to the head, a pinion in meshing relation to both gears, and serving to drive said gear wheel while said pinion is in mesh with` the mutilated gear, means to rotate said mutilated gear, and means forming a releasable connection between the gear wheel and the mutilated gear for causing said mutilated gear to drive said gear wheel directly in an opposite direction than when the pinion is in mesh with the mutilated gear.

3. In an oscillating sprinkler head structure, a mutilated bevel gear, abevel pinion having a stationary axis and in meshing relation to the mutilated gear, a bevel gear wheel in constant meshing relation to said pinion and actuating the sprinkler head, said gear wheels being coaxial, a releasable connection between the'two bevel gearameans to rotate said mutilated bevel gear, and means whereby saidconnection is established only during the period when the pinion is not in mesh with the mutilated gear.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 3, in which the releasable connection includes a weighted catch carried by the bevel gear wheel that drives the head, and normally out of engagement with the mutilated gear, and in which the means whereby the connection is established is a stationary abutment placed in the path of said catch.

5. In combination, a liquid discharge device, means for supplying said device with liquid under pressure, a valve controlling the passage of liquid to the device, meansfor operating the valve comprising a main fluid pressure cylinder and a piston, there being a passageway connecting said supply means with said cylinder, whereby the liquid pressure of said supply means is effective to keep the valve closed, a control valve for controlling the admission and release of said liquid pressure to and from said cylinder, means for operating the control valve comprising a pull rod adapted to be manually actuated to place the control valve in position to release said liquid pressure from said cylinder, a shoulder on said rod, a latch adapted to engage said shoulder and hold said rod and said valve in said position, means operated by the liquid discharge device to disengage said latch, and means to return the rod and control'valve to pressure admitting position.

6. In a sprinkler head structure, a stationary housing having a fluid inlet and a uid outlet, a hollow head rotatably supported by the housing adjacent said outlet and having an inlet passage as well as a discharge nozzle, means permitting relative limited axial movement between the head and the housing, a nozzle structure supported in the housing and adapted to receive the fluid from the inlet therein, a bucket wheel rotatably supported by the housing above the nozzle and adapted to receive the fluid discharged therefrom, planetary gearing connecting the head and the bucket wheel, including a pinion rotatably mounted on the bucket wheel, an internal gear meshing with the pinion and secured to the housing, a second internal gear of a different number of teeth from the first internal gear also meshing with the pinion and in driving relation with the head, a discharge tube associated with the bucket wheel and adapted to receive the fluid therefrom and pass it to the head, and a driving connection between the tube and the head.

7. In a sprinkler head structure, a stationary housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a hollow head rotatably supported by the housing adjacent said outlet and having an inlet passage as well as a discharge nozzle, means permitting relative limited axial movement between the head and the housing, a nozzle structure supported in the housing and adapted to receive the fluid Afrom the inlet therein, a bucket wheel rotatably supported by the housing above the nozzle and adapted to receive the fluid discharged therefrom, planetary gearing by which rotation of the bucket wheel is effective to rotate the head, including a pinion rotatably mounted on the bucket wheel and meshing with a pair of internal gears, one of said internal gears having a different number of teeth from the other of said internal gears, one of said internal gears being secured against rotation, a discharge tube rotatably supported on' the bucket wheel and adapted to receive the discharge therefrom, the other of said internal gears being arranged to drive said discharge tube, a tube associated with the inlet of the head and telescoping with said discharge tube, and a driving connection between said tubes.

8. In a sprinkler head structure, a substantial cylindrical housing having a fluid inlet near its lower end, a hollow head coaxially and rotatably supported at the upper end of said housing and having an inlet passage as well as a discharge nozzle, nozzle structure secured in the housing coaxially therewith and adapted to pass uid from the inlet upwardly, a bucket wheel rotatably supported coaxially by said nozzle structure, so as to receive the iiuid therefrom, planetary gearing by which rotation of the bucket wheel is eective to rotate the head including a pinion carried by the bucket wheel and engaging a pair of internal gears, one of which has a diierent number of teeth from the other, one of said internal gears being secured to the housing, the other of said internal gears being rotatably supported and having a large hollow hub adapted to form a discharge tube from the bucket wheel, a tube associated with the inlet of the head and in sliding telescopic relationship with said discharge tube, a driving connection between the tubes, and means to limit the axial movement between them.

9. In a device of the character described, a sprinkler head having a hollow body, said body having a restricted liquid inlet, and a tubular nozzle structure extending within the body and transversely to the said inlet, and terminating at such a point Within the body as to form a passage for liquid out of the body from a place therein remote from the ow of liquid entering through said inlet.

10. In a device of the character described, a sprinkler head having a hollow body, said body having a tapering restricted liquid inlet, and a tubular nozzle structure extending within the body transversely to the said inlet, and terminating at such a point within the body as to form a liquid passage out of the body from 'a place in the body that is out of alinement with said inlet.

l1. In a device of the character described, a rotary 'sprinkler head, a water wheel, and reduction gearing connecting thewater wheel and the head, said head having an inletA from the Wheel, around which inlet said gearing is arranged, and said head and wheel having such cooperating members as to dene only narrow passages for the entry of water into the space where the gearing is located.

l2. In a device of the character described, a sprinkler head, a Valve having a movable closure for controlling the inlet to the head, fluid pressure means for operating said closure, said means having a cylinder chamberand a cover therefor, and a control valve for said fluid pressure means, including a rotary plug valve structure supported on said cover.

13. In a device of the character described, a sprinkler head, a valve having a movable closure for controlling the inlet to the head, fluid pressure means for operating said closure, said means having a cylinder chamber and a cover therefor, and a control valve for said fluid pressure means, including a rotary plug Valve structure supported on said cover, and means for rotating said plug valve in opposite directions in response to conditions of head operation.

14. In combination, a sprinkler head having a lower wall, a hollow rotary support for the head, said support extending below the lower wall, and forming an inlet for the head, a water wheel casing having therein a water wheel arranged coaxial with said support, the arrangement being such that the yhead and support are rotatable relative tothe water Wheel casing, and means for rotating said head and support by said water wheel, said water wheel having a discharge opening coaxial with said support and leading into the lower end of said support.

PATRICK DE LACY-MULHAIL. 

